Immense power always comes with an irreparable cost.
Kinoe's gaze lingered on the weakened Uchiha Yun. His eyes were closed, but the dried blood trailing from the corners of his lids spoke louder than any words could. Even the hardened Anbu around him felt the weight of that sight.
"Since he couldn't be killed… and even the Third Hokage wanted to let him go, you…" Kinoe's voice carried both confusion and a hint of reproach.
Yun stirred. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The Sharingan had already deactivated, leaving his pupils bloodshot, ringed with fatigue. "Although I don't know if that attack could kill Orochimaru… if I didn't try, I wouldn't know what to say when I stood before the Memorial Stone in the future."
*Phew…*
Kinoe let out a long breath. "Deactivate your eyes immediately! Although I might not be able to beat you now, as your captain, even if it means risking my life, it should be me at the front… it's not your turn, kid!"
Yun chuckled faintly despite the strain in his voice. "No need to drag me to the medical team. The cost of this Mangekyo ability… even if Tsunade-sama herself were here, she'd be powerless. In a few days, I'll recover. It always takes a few days."
The Anbu of Team 6 exchanged glances. One of them finally spoke, his tone heavy with sincerity. "I misunderstood the Uchiha before. But starting today… I'll re-evaluate the clan."
Another, whom Yun had pulled from the jaws of a giant snake only hours ago, exhaled deeply. "After this, I owe you a life, Uchiha Yun. You haven't even received a codename yet, so I'll address you by your full name."
"I also owe you a life." said another Anbu, his voice firmer now. "Just watch my performance later… Uchiha Yun."
"I once heard the Uchiha clan was arrogant," a fourth admitted. "But if they possess strength like yours… then I couldn't compare. You've shown me something different."
"A clan steeped in emotion…" a fifth mused quietly. "Now I finally understand why the elders call the Uchiha reliable comrades. As shinobi fighting beside them, there's no one you'd want more at your back."
…
But the mood sobered again when Kinoe said softly, "This time, Neko and En were killed by Orochimaru. I can't even imagine how to face their families."
Zou, another member of Team 6, clenched his fists. He had joined the Fourth Hokage's direct Anbu alongside Neko and En. His voice trembled with grief. "I can only rely on you, Captain Kinoe."
With the team carrying their fallen's memory in silence, they set off once more, heading for Konoha.
…
At the Hokage's Office, Kinoe finished his detailed mission report. Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato sat in quiet thought before shifting his gaze to Yun, who stood behind Kinoe.
"Even medical ninjutsu has no effect?" Minato asked gently.
Kinoe glanced at Yun, then suggested, "Perhaps we should try, just in case it can restore something…"
But Yun raised a hand to dismiss the idea. "It's not like I'm going blind right now. Each time the Mangekyō's abilities are used, vision deteriorates. Hokage-sama should have learned this from Kakashi already… the process is irreversible."
His words were calm, but their weight filled the room.
"Even if Tsunade-sama returned to the village," Yun added, "she'd still be powerless."
Minato sighed, his expression complicated. "For your very first mission, Yun, to suffer such a cost… Shisui would blame me if he knew. Since the Third Hokage had already made his decision, you didn't have to go that far. As the Fourth Hokage, I will make sure that the deaths of Neko and En doesn't go unavenged."
Yun bowed his head slightly. "It's fine. Consider it a one-time expense."
Minato gave a faint nod, though the concern never left his eyes. "That being said… your codename hasn't been chosen yet. Due to the urgency of the previous mission, it was delayed. Yun, what codename do you want?"
"A codename?" Yun raised his hand, pointing toward his eyes. "Honestly, Hokage-sama, masks and codenames feel useless to me. These eyes… they'll identify me anywhere, won't they?"
Kinoe shifted beside him. The statement was true. The Sharingan was unmistakable, and once one went beyond the three-tomoe, only a handful in the entire clan could wield such eyes. Soon, it would be impossible to conceal Yun's identity, whether the village wanted to or not.
Still, Minato pressed kindly, "Perhaps. But tradition stands—every Anbu carries a codename. So, Yun, choose one."
For a moment, Yun fell silent. Then he answered: "Let's use En."
…
The room stilled.
Both Minato and Kinoe blinked, startled.
En—the codename of the comrade just killed by Orochimaru.
'Does this mean… he intends to carry on the will of his fallen senior?' Kinoe thought. It bent the rules, but the intent was clear.
"Alright." Minato said simply, his voice steady. To Kinoe's surprise, the Fourth Hokage did not hesitate. "From today, your codename will be En."
…
After leaving the office, Yun changed out of his battle gear and into clean clothes, heading to the Anbu lounge. Two days of rotation leave awaited him before his next assignment.
Back in the office, Kinoe lingered. "Hokage-sama… regarding Yun—regarding En's Mangekyō Sharingan. Is what he said about the cost true? I never heard Kakashi-senpai mention it before, but… given the circumstances, I didn't ask."
Minato's eyes softened as he looked out the window. From there, he could see Yun in the distance, walking with deliberate calm.
"The decrease in vision is real." Minato said quietly. "As for Kakashi… it's because he rarely uses it. Or rather, he hasn't used it in three years. The decline in his vision has been minimal."
He turned back to Kinoe. "Every time the Mangekyo's power is unleashed, the caster's vision deteriorates. Eventually… blindness. That is the truth."
Kinoe's eyes widened slightly.
Minato gave a faint, rueful smile. "I never expected Yun to make such a move for his clan. But it shows his resolve."
"The cost is real, and the goal is real." Kinoe agreed. "Uchiha Yun… we can't underestimate this boy."
"Indeed." Minato said. "After all, he's someone even Shisui respects. But we needn't be overly cautious. For now… some of his goals align with Konoha's."
Minato exhaled slowly, his gaze still distant. It had only been Yun's first day in Anbu, yet the Orochimaru incident had given him a platform. To act so decisively and to win the voices of Team 6—it was no accident.
'This boy has his own designs.' Minato thought.
And already, within the Hokage's direct Anbu, Yun had earned his place. Soon enough, those voices would ripple outward, reaching his clan. The Uchiha would feel the change.
The Fourth Hokage thought back to his promise to Shisui. Next year, the Police Force would be restructured, its powers restricted, and Uchiha shinobi placed among the jōnin instructors. A step toward reintegration.
For a brief moment, his brow furrowed.
But then he remembered the blood dripping from Yun's eyes, and the tension eased.
The Mangekyō Sharingan exacted too heavy a toll. Vision loss, leading to blindness. Not even Tsunade could halt it.
No matter how strong they grew, two Uchiha with Mangekyō would not be enough to topple Konoha. And Kakashi… Kakashi would always remain on the Hokage's side.
*****
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